Friday, March 7, 2014

TSA Week in Review – 29 Firearms Discovered This Week (25 Loaded)

Loaded Firearm Discovered at IAH

29Firearms Discovered This Week
– Of the 29 firearms, 25 were loaded and 10 had rounds
chambered. See a complete list and more photos at the bottom of this post.

Inert
Ordnance and Grenades etc.
- We continue to find inert hand grenades and other weaponry on a weekly basis.
Please keep in mind that if an item looks like a realistic bomb, grenade, mine,
etc., it is prohibited. When these items are found at a checkpoint or in
checked baggage, they can cause significant delays in checkpoint screening.
While they may be novelty items, you cannot bring them on a plane. Read
here on why inert items cause problems.

Three
inert detonators were discovered in a checked bag at Colorado Springs (COS).

Two
replica grenades were discovered this week in carry-on bags at Phoenix (PHX),
and San Juan (SJU).

Comb Knife (EWR), Credit Card Knife (ABQ), Sword Cane (OMA)

Artfully
Concealed Prohibited Items –
It’s important to examine your bags prior to traveling to ensure no prohibited
items are inside. If a prohibited item is discovered in your bag or on your
body, you could be cited and quite possibly arrested by local law enforcement.
Here are a few examples from this week where prohibited items were found by our
officers in strange places.

Six
credit card knives were discovered: Two were discovered in separate incidents
at Charleston (CHS); the remainder were discovered at Albuquerque
(ABQ), Grand Forks (GFK), Kansas City (MCI), and Minot (MOT).

*In
order to provide a timely weekly update, date is compiled from a preliminary
report. The year-end numbers will vary slightly from what is reported in the
weekly updates. However, any monthly, midyear, or end-of-year numbers TSA
provides on this blog or elsewhere will be actual numbers and not estimates.

Unfortunately
these sorts of occurrences are all too frequent which is why we talk about
these finds. Sure, it’s great to share the things that our officers are
finding, but at the same time, each time we find a dangerous item, the
throughput is slowed down and a passenger that likely had no ill intent ends up
with a citation or in some cases is even arrested. The passenger can face a
penalty as high as $7,500.00. This is a friendly reminder to please
leave these items at home. Just because we find a prohibited item on an
individual does not mean they had bad intentions, that's for the law
enforcement officer to decide. In many cases, people simply forgot they had
these items.

How about the five baggage handlers who were arrested for theft at JFK. Any airport employee who has direct access to the planes should be screened just like a passenger when they enter and exit the airport at the end of their shift.

If they can take things out of a passengers luggage they can also put things into it.

A whip? Really? Bob, just where does this fall into a safety issue? Is TSA expecting an Indiana Jones type assault on the plane? I applaud you for the firearms. I carry, and I would never "forget" my gun was in my bag, however, a whip? That's really bordering on the absurd. Why would this be an issue? I can do as much damage with my belt. Are we going to get to the point that we fly naked or all in standard issue jumpsuits?The system really needs to cull the BS and get down to business instead of this type of fluff.

Anonymous said...The "Kitty key chain" is a weapon and has been banned from airplanes since before TSA. http://www.gadgetking.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/image74.pngMarch 8, 2014 at 9:06 AM:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::If it is banned seems it should have earned a mention in the weekly recap since the incident involved a well known person.

Before TSA and 9/11 I'm pretty sure brass knuckles were banned. Blades under 6" were ok though. That cute little kitty keychain is a little bit of both and that's kind of the problem. There are tons of legit things to bash TSA over and it's not like you have to look too hard to find them but this ain't one of them.

RB said, "If it is banned seems it should have earned a mention in the weekly recap since the incident involved a well known person."

You probably have a valid point there but I'm certain I've seen the kitty keychain in the weekly blog post before. Btw last summer I had my bicycle shipped for a biking adventure I had planned. I had to buy some items to repair my bike after shipping. I was juggling what to take with me on the plane afterward as I was trying to keep the bike case under 50 lbs. One item I made sure to send back in the case was an extra bike cable. I'm sure it would have made the weekly post as a "garotte" if I had it in my carry on. I know I've seen a camping saw posted on here with that label before. Even if it didn't belong in a carry on that was a bit of a stretch to call it that :)

Sure it is, SkywayMan. It most certainly isn't being promoted as a "good catch" on the TSA Blog and wasn't mentioned as a #TSAcatch on the blotter team's Twitter account or any of the other spam TSA accounts, was it?

If this was such a horrible, scary, terrifying weapon being carried by such a horrible, scary, terrifying person to the point the police were called, then one would expect the TSA crowing about how they stopped terrorism in the form of Lena Dunham.

Again, every woman has told to use her keys as a weapon against an attacker. Still, keys are allowed. 4-inch scissors are allowed. Screwdrivers are allowed. Pens are allowed. Knitting needles are allowed. Corkscrews are allowed.

(And so on and so on and so on.)

Any of these are much more of a "weapon" than that keychain. Yet, the flight attendants union and their buddies at the TSA aren't screaming in fear.

Once again, nothing dangerous that requires a full body scanner to be found. Why are these machines still in use? They are slow, invasive, expensive and, very obviously from you weekly posts, ineffective.

Scrap full body scanners as primary. PreCheck standards should apply for all.

Anonymous you won't get much argument from me on how silly the list of banned vs. not banned items can be. I could probably do a lot of damage punching someone with a pair of handcuffs too. TSA says that item is allowed in my carry-on and my full tube of toothpaste isn't. That said the infamous cutesy little kitty keychain is marketed and sold as a self-defense weapon, key word there weapon. If something is described as a weapon go figure TSA just might have an issue with it in a carry-on bag. This particular item law enforcement in many states has an issue with too. It has a disclaimer it cannot be shipped to California and some other states stating it is illegal to own there. California in particular appears to make owning it a felony. You don't have to search very far at a major online shipping vendor that sells them to see reviews from people who feel they have been unfairly arrested for owning them. Feel free to write Sacramento if you still feel this is all BS though. California drives me crazy just trying to do business there but that's another story.

Just out of curiosity RB and Susan--how many times a year do you fly? While it's possible to get a TSA agent on a bad day, the vast majority of the flying public going through my airport has nothing but good comments about them. I'm curious what's causing the bad blood and whether there is anything the airports can do to fix it.

Anonymous said...Just out of curiosity RB and Susan--how many times a year do you fly? While it's possible to get a TSA agent on a bad day, the vast majority of the flying public going through my airport has nothing but good comments about them. I'm curious what's causing the bad blood and whether there is anything the airports can do to fix it.March 10, 2014 at 9:42 AM

"The vast majority of the flying public has nothing but good comments about them"? Really? Show us the evidence for that statement, please.

Anonymous said...Just out of curiosity RB .......... I'm curious what's causing the bad blood and whether there is anything the airports can do to fix it.

March 10, 2014 at 9:42 AM.................................................First off what do you mean by "your airport"? Are you an airport employee or a TSA employee?

I travel often enough to know what TSA should be doing and what they are not doing well.

My issues with TSA go back some years ago.

First time I encountered TSA they had a sign posted saying removal of shoes was not required. Since I need to protect my feet for medical reasons I didn't take my shoes off. That resulted in a full monty pat down even after I pointed out the sign saying shoe removal was not required. DFW TSA FAIL!

Second issue, wifes purse exiting xray and TSA screener sticks his hand inside. Small pouch used to hold valuable jewelry seemed to be the target. I had turned just in time to see this happened and yelled to get other screeners attention. Screener made like the bag had to go back through the xray to cover his tracks. Reported to incident to TSA up to the airport FSD. NO ACTION of any kind was taken. No investigation done. FLL FSD blew off my concerns. FLL TSA FAIL.

Third issue. DFW screener asking people to state their names. I simply tell the guy that my name is printed on my ID and boarding pass. Guy gets angry and makes like he is about to strike me. Complaint to checkpoint supervisor, elevated to DFW FSD and finally up to TSA HQ level personnel. Once again no action of any kind by TSA. TSA DFW and HQ FAIL!

These three are just the highlights. I have had other issues including being directed to remove a medical device at LAS. Observing airport employees entering secure area with no screening while bringing in multiple 2 liter bottles of beverages. Bringing in roll aboard type bags but not flying. Other security issues that any person of reasonable intelligence would understand negatively impacts the security posture. TSA employees berating people on how they packed a carry on bag while supervisors watched from a distance and did nothing.

Why does TSA focus all of its attention on passengers when the people with the best opportunity to blow up an airplane are people on the ground crews? Why does TSA restrict my small pen knife when people sitting in first class get a nice full size dinner knife? Why am I limited to 100 ml bottles of liquids when full bottles of wine are loaded on the aircraft? Who validated the contents of those bottles? Why are passengers made to jump through hoops like removing shoes, getting sexual assault grope downs when ground crew can mosey right past security without a first look? Why does TSA allow people on this very blog to put out dangerous incorrect medical information as Blogger Bob did a couple of weeks ago when stating that Strip Search Machines would not harm insulin pumps when some manufacturers tell their customers to not be screen by these devices? Why does TSA tolerate the "make up the rules as we go" by some TSA employees? Why isn't there and effective means to file complaints against TSA employees? Why isn't TSA and its employees held accountable for their actions?

TSA could care less about the public or the public's safety. TSA is more concerned about exerting force and control over citizens than anything else, not to mention empire building. TSA needs some serious house cleaning starting with the incompetent leadership that is suppose to be running TSA. TSA needs a serious reduction in funding so TSA can learn to concentrate on its core duties, not be harassing people over bit coins, how much money a person has, or anything else that is not directly related to screening for WEI. We would be better off without TSA and its overstaffed employees infesting the peoples airports.

I am also not understanding the danger presented by the whip. Is it more dangerous than shoelaces or a laptop power cable?

In other news, please provide data showing that PreCheck is effective in preventing terror attacks, please provide data showing that current security procedures in airports are more cost-effective than pre-9/11 procedures, and please indicate when TSA will respond to the AIT NPRM.

Susan Richart said...To the anonymous person who asked, in a round about manner, what my issue is with the TSA.

To answer, let me quote Edward Snowden: "The Constitution was being violated on a massive scale."

My answer also starts with the same Edward Snowden quote. But I have an obligation to defend the Constitution of the United States of America against ALL enemies, both foreign AND domestic. The TSAs very existence in its current form threatens our way of life, something I am sworn to defend. My oath did not end with the end of my service, and the best way to defend against the TSAs abuses is to shine a light on them.

Not to mention, as something of a security expert (I am no Bruce Schneier, but I have worked in security, both physical and virtual, and hold some certifications), it is quite obvious that the TSA is interested in anything but actual security.

Nice rant RB. To answer your question, I am a Director of Operations of an airport, which security falls under me, which is why I read this blog every week. I use the information to assist me in keeping my passengers safe. As for the whole Constitution thing, I defended it for 29 years, with my life should it have become necessary. Lucky for me and my family it never came to that. In this world, you're either part of the problem or part of the solution. I hate to tell you what group you are falling into now. Your exercise of your 1st amendment rights are doing nothing to stop the global terrorism threat. The TSA I know are a conglomeration of individual citizens trying to keep their fellow Americans safe. There are bad actors in every organization, and I'm sorry they don't tell you everything they do. You know--praise in public, punish in private. The next time you go through a screening point, I recommend you try a smile--you may even get one back. Enough of my rant.

Anonymous said...Nice rant RB. To answer your question, I am a Director of Operations of an airport, which security falls under me, which is why I read this blog every week. I use the information to assist me in keeping my passengers safe. As for the whole Constitution thing, I defended it for 29 years, with my life should it have become necessary. Lucky for me and my family it never came to that. In this world, you're either part of the problem or part of the solution. I hate to tell you what group you are falling into now. Your exercise of your 1st amendment rights are doing nothing to stop the global terrorism threat. The TSA I know are a conglomeration of individual citizens trying to keep their fellow Americans safe. There are bad actors in every organization, and I'm sorry they don't tell you everything they do. You know--praise in public, punish in private. The next time you go through a screening point, I recommend you try a smile--you may even get one back. Enough of my rant.

March 12, 2014 at 10:28 AM

............................Criticism of me but not a word of acknowledging the problems travelers face from TSA. Perhaps you need to get out of your office and do a little observation.

Seems that TSA has relieved you of any security responsibilities Anon. And as far as being part of the problem I suggest to you that you are part of the problem if you can't see the weaknesses of TSA security standards and the low caliber of TSA employees that the public face each day.

If you did indeed serve this country for 29 years as you claim then you took an oath to defend the United States Constitution against all enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC. I too took that oath and I hold those concepts as still in force even after I retired.

TSA weakens of individual freedoms and I believe TSA is anti-freedom.

Are you embarrassed to say which airport you are Director of Operations for?

Where is my March 11 post regarding why people criticize TSA in their comments on this blog's entries? I really do have a screen capture of my post. Others' posts on the same subject are visible, and my post contained no profanity, offensive terms, or personal attacks.

Nice attempt to repress free speech and criticism of our government, alleged "Director of Operations." Really, you do airport security? Shouldn't you be handling, say, the operation of the airport where you allegedly work? Operations is a lot more than reading the TSA blog and getting all of your "global terrorism threat" info.

Did you read where the TSA admitted in court records that there is no current terrorism threat to American aviation?

Did you read where thousands of people critically commented the TSA and their use of naked pic MMW and Backscatter scanners?

Did you support the TSA's attempt to lift the stupid ban on small pocketknives?

Did you read where the TSA blotter misidentified a camping saw as a garotte, and a welding tool as a pickaxe?

Finally, do you believe that people who feel so strongly about the TSA policies and procedures should not be able to express critical facts and opinions on this blotter, as well as to our state and federal representatives?

no--still here. Just got busy with my job. I tried explaining to you that you don't have all the facts, but as I thought, that just isn't a story you want to hear, no matter what the TSA tries to tell you. Looks like I didn't fair much better either. Probably just wasting my time responding. And don't worry--this is only a small piece of what's available to me information wise.

Anonymous said...no--still here. Just got busy with my job. I tried explaining to you that you don't have all the facts, but as I thought, that just isn't a story you want to hear, no matter what the TSA tries to tell you. Looks like I didn't fair much better either. Probably just wasting my time responding. And don't worry--this is only a small piece of what's available to me information wise.March 15, 2014 at 11:59 AM----------------------------You asked a question which I responded to honestly and as completely as possible only to have you flame me. I have ask a couple of questions which you haven't responded too. Who exactly is wasting their time?